Button



April 1, 1930: .J, M, CLARK ET AL 1,752,419

BUTTON Original Filed Sept. 26, 1927 kfon y zn Ira 2 0rd Patented Apr. 1, 1930 UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN M. CLARK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AND IRA I). FORD, OF ROSELAND, ONTARIO,

CANADA, ASSIGNORS TO UNIVERSAL BUTTON FASTENING & BUTTON (30., OF DE- TROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN BUTTON Application filed September 26, 1927, Serial No. 221,891. Renewed August 16, 1929.

This invention relates to buttons for workmens clothing and the like, and aims to provide an iexpensive and durable button which may, if desired, be made with low man- 5 ufacturing and labor costs.

The invention may be readily understood by reference to one illustrative button embodying the invention and illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

In said drawing:

Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation of the button fastened to fabric or the like.

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the button, the attaching fastener prongs being shown in section.

Fi 3 is a sectional elevation of the button.

The illustrative button comprises in this instance three elements, namely, the button body 10, the decorative and protective shell 11, and a bar 12. The button body 10 is formed to provide the head 13 and shank 14, the end of the later being recessed as at 15 to receive a pronged attaching fastener.

The body is advantageously made of soft steel or other metal in the form of rod or similar stock (which is quite inexpensive, compared with sheet metal stock) and brought into the illustrated shape by one or more die pressing operations upon a blank or slug cut from the rod stock. These die operations advantageously include the for- .ration of the recess 15. The bar 12 may be appropriately secured in place by welding, for example, or by crimping over the marginal flanges 16 as shown at 17, after the bar 12 has been positioned.

After formation the button is preferably treated superficially to improve its appearance and to provide a protective coating. For example, the decorative finish or coating on the head of the button may be provided by a shell 11 formed of relatively thin metal which is either itself rust proof, or treated superficially to render it rust proof. Its outer surface may be provided with any desired decorative embossing or trade-mark, depending upon what the purchaser desires. It is secured to the button by crimping its marginal flange 18 around and underneath the head 13 of the button.

The bar 12 typifies the means for attachingthe button. In the present case such attachmentis efi'ected by the double prong-fastener 19, the'prongs 20 of which straddle the bar 12, and are bent around it by the bottom 21 of the recess 15 which is advantageously cur ed to form an upsetting die.

The illustrative button isnot only an inexpensive button since it is made of but two relatively inexpensive elements (not including the decorative or'protective finish which in this instance includes the shell 11) but its construction is such as to lend itself Well to economical manufacture, requiring little or no handling. For example, the body 10 of th button may be formed in a series of operat which involve no manual handling and, without intervening manual handling, the bar 12 may be formed and attached to the button b dy in subsequent operations. Then if demred, without handling the button may be given its protective or decorative finish. While the button is advantageously adapted to be formed economically in the aforesaid or similar manner, its manufacture is obviously not limited to fully automatic manufacture 51' to manufacture according to a definite sequence of operations.

Obviously the invention is not limited to the details of the embodiment thereof herein illustrated and described, since these details may be variously modified. Moreover, it is not indispensable that all features of the invcntion be used conjointly, since certain features may be advantageously used in various diii'erent methods, combinations and subcombinations.

llaving described one embodiment of our invention, we claim:

1. A solid metal button for overalls and he like comprising in combination a die formed body having an integral head and solid shank, said head having a superficial covering, the end of said shank having a semirspherical, open recess formed therein and a. transverse wire bar welded in said recess, the inner surface of said recess being curved to provide a die for bending the prongs of a double pronged fastener over said bar.

2. A metal button for overalls and the like comprising in combination an integral button head and solid shank formed from a solid blank, said shank having a semi-spherical recess in its extremity and a transverse round Wire bar secured therein, the curved surface of said recess serving as a die to bend the prongs of a fastener about said bar, and a shell or relatively thin metal capable of be in g embossed covering the face of the button head to protect and finish said head.

3. A solid metal button for overalls and the like comprising in combination a die formed bodv having an integral head and solid shank, said head having a protective surfacing, the end of said shank having an open recess formed therein With a concave bottom, and a transverse fastener receiving bar Welded across said recess, said concave surface-of said recess serving to provide a die for bending the prongs of a double pronged fastener over said bar.

In testimony whereof, We have signed our names to this specification.

JOHN M. CLARK. IRA D. FORD. 

